Mast.



H. B. DE GROUT.

, MAST.

APPLIGATION FILED AUG.11, 190s.

Patefited May 18, 1909.

2 SEEETS-SHEET 1.

H. B. DE GROUT.

MAST. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11. 1908.

Patented May 18, 1909.

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lllQNlt Y B. DE ROOT, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALE TO THE UN l'tED WIRELESS TELEGRAPH co or NEW YORK, n .nnn.

N. Y., A CORPORATION OF MAST.

Patented May 18, 1909. Application filed August 11, 1908. Serial No. 448,015.

No. 922,400. Specification of Letters Patent.

.a citizen of the United liilYt) To (1 (l /H)! 1 11 mayconcern-J Be it known that 1, Henry B. DE Gnoo'r, States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia,

invented certain new and useful Improvements in Masts; and 1 do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such 21: will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to masts, and has for its object the production of a built up structure for wireless telegraphic and other purposes which will combine a maximum of strength and flexibility with a minimum of material. it is well-known that nature discloses in a bamboo pole a structure having the above characteristics, and the object of this invention is to so closely imitate the structure of such'poles as to preserve all of their desirable properties for engineering purposes.

To these ends the invention consists in the novel combination of parts and details of construction more fully hereinafter disclosed, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application in which like numerals indicate like parts in all the views :Figure 1, represents an erected Wireless telegraph mast built in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2, a plan view of the top of said mast. Fig. 8, a cross sectional view showing the counterpoise support. Fig. t, a view of a section of the mast showing the upper end in longitudinal section, and the lower end in elevation. Fig. 5, a plan view of the lower end of the mast section shown in ltig. 4. Fig. 6, a longitudinal sectional view of the joint made when two mast sections meet, and Fig. 7,, a longitudi nal sectional view of a mast section showing the filling plugs and outside wrappings that occur throughout the length of the mast."

The mast is indicated by 1, and is preferably provided with an erecting lever 2, although this is not essential, it has the guys 3, the lead wires hthe antenna wires 5, the countcrpoisc wire (3, and the connterpoise stakes 7, provided with theback stays 8.

The top of the mast shown in Fig. 2, is provided with a disk 9, secured by fastening-s It) to the mast proper; and the said disk is provided with the holes 11, through which snap the hooks or other fastenings 12, to which the various wires leading from said top are secured. near its bottom with a counter-poise support to which the counter-poise wires are secured. This support shown in Fig. 3, preferably consists of a pair of metallic half ring like pieces 12 hinged together at 13, and provided with the insulators 14, around which runs the wire 15. 16 represents a catch or other fastening for the two half rings which encircle the mast. wires (5, are preferably provided with hooks 17, which catchovcr the wire 15, as shown.

The mast 1 is preferably made in sections, two of which 18 and 19 are shownin Fig; 6, with theirendsv respectively provided with the ferrules 21, and joined together by the metal tubular plu 22; Each section is likewise preferably made of wood in the form two half tubes 23 and 24, Figs. 5, 6, and 7 glued or otherwise fastened together, an

The various counterpoise- The mast is also provided provided at frequent intervals with p 25 closely fitting the bore of the tube. on the outside of these plugs, the mast is curely wrapped with wires 26, the ends of which are preferably soldered to the wrap-- ping turns, or otherwise fastened.

The disk 9 is preferably fastened to the extreme top of the mastby a screw 10, as above stated, and additional fastenings 27 pass into the top piece 28, as shown in Fig. l. This top piece is of the general shape shown, and is preferably screw threaded over the tubular plug 29, which fits into the top of the mast proper, as illustrated.

It will thus be seen that the entire mast pole is a hollow tubular structure from end to end; that itis provided with the comparatively short plugs 25, at frequent intervals which solidify the structure where they occur; and that the wrappings 26, cause the whole to be firmly bound together, so that great flegcibility is combined with the strength f the tube in a manner very closely resembling that of a bamboo pole.

It is evident that this particular structure of a pole, or red, is not confined to mast-s, but is useful in many other relations where it is desired to combine great flexibility with the maximum strength of the material used. Such uses are to he met with in the constrnctionof flying machines, for example, asiwell in bicycle frames, in automobile work, and even in some bridge constructions. It is'al so evident that the stick, rod or' pble, may be made of steel. I do 'not wish tobe understood as confining thissinvention to. the specific details of construction nor to the specific uses de-' scribed, except as is pointed out in the claims. What I claim .'is:. J 1. A stick adapted to form a part of-a mast composed of a flexibletubular body divided longitudinally, provided with tightly fitting plugs at intervals, and with an outer strengthening means opposite the plugs whereby said stick is rendered rigid wherever the plugs occur, but remains flexible in those portions of its body that lie between the plugs, substantially as described.

2. A stick adapted to form a part of a mast composed of a flexible tubularbody divided longitudinally, provided with tightly fitting plugs at intervals, and having circumferentially wound strengthening means on its outside opposite said plugs, substantially as described. p

.3. A stick for a mast composed of a flexible tubular body,divided longitudinally and said body provided with tightly fitting plugs at -intervals, and having circumferential windings of wire opposite said plugs, and means to aid in supporting said mast stick in an upright position, substantially as described. 1 g

4:. A stick for a mast composed of two half tubes secured together formin aflexible tubular body, said body, provi ed with tightly fitting lugs at intervals, and having circumferentla windings of wire opposite said plugs, and-means'to aid in supporting said mast stick in an upright positlon, substantially as described.

5. A mast stick composed of a plurality of partly tubular bodies secured together to form a flexible single tubular body, said body, provided with tightly fittin plugs at intervals and having circum erential "strengthening windings opposite said plugs;

said body also having means to aid in supporting said mast stick, and a ferrule on one end, substantially as described.

6. A plurality of mast sticks constituting a must, each stick formed of half tubular bodies secured together to form a flexible tube; each tube provided on its inside at intervals wit-h plugs, on its outside opposite said plugs with strengthening means, and at one end with a fer-rule; and means joining said sticks to ether to form the mast,

stantially as described.

72' A plurality of mast sticks constituting amast, each stick formed of tubu ar oodies secured together to form a fiexibletube; each tube provided on its inside at intervals with plugs, on its outside with means for aiding in supporting the mast, andopposite said plugs with streiwthening means, and at one end with a ferru e; and means joinin said sticks together to form the mast, conslsting of a tubular plug, substantially as described.

8. A wireless telegraph mast composed of a plurality of flexible tubularmast sticks,

each stick provided with closelyfitting plugs on its inside, andwith wrappmgs of wire opposite said plugs on itsoutside thc topmost'stick being also. provided with means to which the lead and antenna wires may be secured, and the bottom stick with mcansto which the guy and counterpoise wires may be secured; and the abutting ends of the sev-' eralsticks provided with a tubular plu for joining. the same together, .substantial y as described.

9. A wireless tele raph mast composed of i a plurality of flexible tubular mast sticks,

each stick provided with closely fitting plugs at intervals in its inside, and with wrappings of wire opposite said plugs on its outside;

the topmost stick being also provided with means consistin of a top piece provided with a disk having holes to which the lead and antenna wires may be secured, and the bottom stick with means to which the guy wires may be secured, and means consisting of a ring provided with insulators to which the counterpoise wires may be secured; and theabutting ends of the several sticks provided with a tubular same together, substantially as described.

10. A mast for wireless telegraph purposes comprising a flexible tubular section provided on its inside with a plurality of closely fitting plugs, a counterpoise support on its outside with means to aid in supporting saidmast and 'an erecting lever near its bottom, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature, in presence of two- Witnesses. I HENRY B. DE GROOT. Witnesses: w

T. A. \Vrrrrrnsroon, W. Max. DUVALLQ plug for joining the- 

